There's a moment in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" where — no spoilers here, since this is in the previews — Wonder Woman shows up to change the course of a fight that is going very badly for the male heroes.

It doesn't save the film, but it does parallel a trend over the past year in our comic book-obsessed popular culture.

"These images are important because they feed the next generation of underground nerds," said Sara D. Wilson, who produces Denver's monthly Nerd Nite program. "And then you look at female characters like Rey (from "Star Wars — Episode VII: The Force Awakens") and they're main characters in films like these — even if they still have to show their bare midsections from time to time."

Sophie Turner, left, attends the "X-Men: Apocalypse" panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego. (Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

On screen and on the floor at comic-book conventions, a growing number of women, people of color and members of the LGBT community are winning the fight for representation as pop-culture creators and characters. Social media controversies and soul-searching have given way to protests and victories, including at the highest levels of the industry.

"The Force Awakens," which has grossed more than $2 billion worldwide since its Dec. 18 release, features a groundbreaking female lead character and a black supporting character. Last month, director J.J. Abrams also opened the door to gay characters in the highly visible, Disney-owned "Star Wars" universe. And this week, Disney (which also owns Marvel comics and its film franchise) vowed to stop filming in the state of Georgia if Gov. Nathan Deal signed anti-gay legislation on his desk.

"Mad Max: Fury Road," which dominated several major Oscar categories last month, devoted more time to its feminist lead Furiosa (played by Charlize Theron) than it did its title hero. And TV series such as "Supergirl" and "Jessica Jones" are tackling issues of gender and sexuality while gathering positive reviews and ratings.

But beyond the marketing hype, some of the most meaningful changes are happening at the grassroots level, where the writers and artists responsible for creating these icons work. The inaugural Denver Independent Comic and Art Expo, which takes place Friday and Saturday at Sherman Street Event Center, is run mostly by white men, but they're "hellbent" on inclusivity, according to Nerd Nite's Wilson, who works there as logistics director.

"It's been refreshing," she said. "They're asking, 'Where are the female voices? The indigenous voices and people of color?' And usually I'm the only person in the room asking that."

The massive Denver Comic Con, which last year drew more than 100,000 attendees, also cites its programming and guest diversity as a point of pride. In fact, for its fifth installment, scheduled for June 17-19 at the Colorado Convention Center, the event has partnered with the LGBT-centric PrideFest, which is taking place at nearby Civic Center on the same Father's Day weekend.

"We're always trying to do better and make our programming as diverse as possible," said Sam Fuqua, executive director of Pop Culture Classroom, the educational nonprofit that runs Denver Comic Con. "This year you'll see more discussion of LGBT issues in comics, more panels and more special events around that theme."

Events include a group "Unity Ceremony" to celebrate same-sex unions.

Still, the Denver Comic Con and others around the country continue to be ground zero for fights about inclusiveness and representation. Supporters of Gamergate, a generally anti-feminist movement claiming to be concerned about ethics in gaming journalism, protested not being able to wear their branded T-shirts at last year's Comic Con for being perceived as threatening to women.

The 2015 Denver Comic Con also made national news when attendees protested the bizarrely all-male "Women in Comics" panel — which was quickly met with a "flash panel" assembled by female artists and creators.

"What matters is that they allowed us to organize (it)," Emily Singer, a podcaster who sat on the flash panel, told The Denver Post at the time.

The harsh reaction to the panel on national blogs and social media reminded the Denver Comic Con that it's OK to re-evaluate a position and admit there is room for improvement.

"Whether we're producing a comic con or publishing a graphic novel or producing a movie, we all have a responsibility to reflect the diversity of the world," director Fuqua said. "Because of their popularity, the entertainment industry and comics in particular have played a critical role in promoting diversity in this country."

Of course, it makes business sense to appeal to as broad a demographic as possible.

Slightly more than half of all Denver Comic Con attendees last year were female, according to a self-selecting survey that included information from 5,300 attendees, Fuqua said.

Major comics publishers Marvel and DC have also seen an increased appetite for diverse characters, leading to more offerings with female, African-American, and gay and transgender characters, according to Brenden Fletcher, a writer for DC's ongoing "Batgirl" comic.

"We're doing our best to create strong characters from all walks of life," he said via e-mail. "We want our heroes and villains to be representative of the world around us."

"There's been a lot of progress with nerds on the ground," Nerd Nite's Wilson said. "But it's hard on a day-to-day basis when 95 percent of the people who ask me if they can take part in Nerd Nite are white men. It's hard to think I might be part of the problem. But when you recognize the error of your ways, there's hope."

Dressed as a stormtrooper, Eugene Lopez, center, waits in the weapons prop-check line during Denver Comic Con in 2015. (Denver Post file)

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